Educating a Toddler to Develop into an 'British Gentleman' – Does It Justify the Money?

Child education concept
The firm behind the listing states that what seems like "luxury or peculiarity" is in fact "purposeful investment in early instruction".

"A family residing in North London seeks an exceptional and experienced tutor to support their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."

Looking at this advertisement, you might readily overlook the phrase "beginning" as simple figurative language.

Yet, it may be the most important aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to hire a mentor for a infant.

Many of submissions have now been sent in since the anonymous family published their search for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".

During the past few weeks, the listing has received attention in the press, with many asking why?

Forward-Thinking Method

Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their quest, said that notwithstanding first skepticism, he considered the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".

When he met the family, he noted they recognized the unusual aspect of their demand, and how immature their son is.

Nevertheless, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had by then become established".

But what does the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?

It's "everything", Adam answered. "The way you eat, the way you speak".

He stated the older sibling had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to him they wished to avoid this pattern to happen again with their new baby.

The plan: To engage a UK tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from the very start.

Tutoring discussion
The tutoring agency state the advert has sparked a broader discussion about how households view schooling, elitism and the role of family background in learning.

Subtle Influence

"Much of the development at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the expert.

It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they want to impart.

The consultant said the tutor must be somebody who attended "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The educator must be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.

Cost Not Relevant

The family explained to him the selected educator should preferably also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and music so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of interests.

Additionally though, he said the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an tool by the time they are around three years old".

In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "UK sophisticate" will result in achievement and provide access.

"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he comments.

But, despite all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?

"Certainly", answered the CEO. "The family know this could fail, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he explained.

Overly Optimistic

Several in the private teaching field who share these doubts.

Peter Cui, chief executive of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."

He noted that he had emigrated from China to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been educated understanding and living dual heritages. He continued to learn at Cambridge University.

Peter Cui portrait
Peter Cui was the first person originating from the People's Republic of China to be elected to the role of Treasurer of the Cambridge Union Society.

"The idea that an individual can act as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can possibly transplant the attributes of a British gentleman upon a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.

"In my experience, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will does not instantly create the goal they want.

"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and yet I have been fortunate enough to live numerous of the experiences they hope for their son."

He added: "The truth is, self-identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."

Purchasing UK Culture

Certainly, English culture is something Adam believes can be educated – and sold.

"I think the situation that the world views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating

David Shannon
David Shannon

A film critic and entertainment journalist with over a decade of experience covering Hollywood and indie cinema.